Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation Operational Plan 2016-2025 Update

This report embodies the strategic objectives and updated operational priorities of the South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation (SASEC) Program Operational Plan for 2016–2025. It reflects the changes resulting from a rigorous vetting process and identifies priority projects based on preparedness and their roles in filling network gaps. This Update also defines SASEC transport and energy networks and presents adjusted estimates of funding needs to help meet SASEC’s goals of multimodal connectivity, energy market development


India and Myanmar Reiterate Commitments to Boost Trade and Connectivity 28 February 2020: New Delhi, India
Mr. Win Myint, President of Myanmar, paid a state visit to India, upon the invitation of Mr. Ram Nath Kovind, President of India. The visit emphasized importance of connectivity. It affirmed their commitments to expedite the completion of various India-funded projects ongoing in Myanmar, and underscored the need to further facilitate the easy movement of passenger and cargo traffic between the two countries. The Government of Bangladesh will introduce procedures to fast-track processing of cross-border trade in Bangladesh ports. Submission of import documents will be required from shippers before they depart en route to Bangladesh ports. Pre-arrival processing will give officials more time to check the import documents before consignments arrive, allowing them to decide which consignments need to go through physical checks. This will speed up processing of cargo at customs. The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council, chaired by Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, approved the proposal to enhance the capacity of Mongla port. The project is estimated to cost Tk 6,015 crore (around $710.79 million). Mongla port can be used to facilitate transit of goods to and from Bhutan, India, and Nepal. Increasing its capacity will hopefully encourage the three countries to use it further for transit of goods.

Imphal-Mandalay Bus Service to Start in April 18 February 2020: Manipur, India and Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar
India and Myanmar are launching the Imphal (Manipur, India)-Mandalay (Myanmar) bus service to further promote tourism and people-to-people visits. On 7 April 2020, the new passenger bus route will be inaugurated in Mandalay in a ceremony flagging off a bus bound for Imphal. On 8 April, a bus bound for Mandalay will be flagged off from Imphal. The Shwe Mandalar Express Company Limited from Yangon and Seven Sisters Holidays from Imphal partnered to operate the bus route.

Inland Waterways to Help Channel Economic Activity along the Ganga River 14 February 2020: New Delhi, India
Inland waterways is an important pillar of 'Arth-Ganga,' a project that aims to channelize economic activity along the banks of Ganga River to promote inclusive growth for India and generate enormous employment opportunities. The project is being implemented by the Ministry of Shipping of the Government of India.

Experts Call for Energy Cooperation among BIMSTEC Countries 10 February 2020: Dhaka, Bangladesh
Policymakers and experts have begun discussions on the creation of a regional power grid for Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) member countries. Mr. Manmohan Parkash, ADB Country Director in Bangladesh, said BIMSTEC member countries could help ensure energy security and better deal with global energy price fluctuations through regional energy cooperation.

Bangladesh, India, and Nepal Move to Finalize Connectivity Network 8 February 2020: New Delhi, India
Representatives from Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Nepal (BBIN) met to discuss passenger and cargo protocols and push for the finalization of the BBIN Motor Vehicles Agreement (MVA). Bangladesh, India, and Nepal plan to launch the BBIN MVA, while Bhutan is working on domestic procedures for the ratification of the agreement. Representatives from Bhutan participated in the meeting as observers.